Australia vs England Ashes: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) chief curator Matt Page expressed disappointment and shock after the fourth Ashes Test ended in just two days, admitting his pitch preparation didn't quite hit the mark.
England's exhilarating four-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) shattered a 15-year winless streak in Australia, with the match concluding in under 32 hours. The contest saw 36 wickets fall for 572 runs in just 142 overs.
Page acknowledged the pitch favoured bowlers too heavily, leading to 36 wickets falling in 142 overs.
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"We're obviously really disappointed that it's been gone two days. We'd rather be in there (today) watching these two great teams going at it," he told reporters. We'll learn from this, we'll get better from it, as we have done over the last seven years with every setback we've faced. We'll grow from it, and we'll ensure that we get it right again next year," Page told the media outside the MCG on Sunday.
Page admitted he was surprised after 20 wickets fell on Day 1.
"I was in a state of shock after the first day to see everything that happened. 20 wickets in a day, I've never been involved in a Test match like it, and hopefully never involved in a Test match like it again," he added.
"It was a rollercoaster ride for two days to see everything unfold. But we'll learn from it, we'll grow from it, we'll get better at it, just like we have over the past years. I have no doubt we will come back bigger, better and stronger than we have done," he said.
Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) chief Stuart Fox voiced disappointment, remarking that the pitch heavily favoured bowlers and offered little to batters.
"This pitch has clearly favoured the bowlers and hasn't given the batters a good opportunity to get set. So we're obviously disappointed. What it demonstrates is the really fine margins that Matt and his team are dealing with," Fox said.
"We had some circumstances leading into the Test that were difficult, particularly around the weather. We do understand the impact this has had on, particularly, the fans, and obviously, one of our key stakeholders in Cricket Australia," he added.
Despite the pitch debacle, MCC chief Stuart Fox expressed unwavering support for MCG curator Matt Page, saying he believes in Page's expertise.
"We brought Matt on eight years ago because he's considered one of the best in the country, if not the best, and I still believe that, and I always will. He's done a great job. He and his team worked tirelessly to get this right. You can see he's disappointed today. He carries that responsibility, and my job as a leader is to support people," he said.